Any advice on changing the front differential lube? I was going to swap it out for synthetic and forget about it -- take the old fluid out with a suction pump. But I realize now that I've got the late '02 front dif -- always spinning. I'm wondering whether I ought to open up the case and clean it out. Seems like a waste, though, other trucks I've owned had them last forever, with 150K + clean oil.

 

I changed mine late last summer, and was surprised how clear the fluid was after 50,000 miles. I too have the "late" axle up front. I guess without a load, there is little gear wear.

 

My personal opinion is to change the fluid on a regular basis either according to the manual or to personal preference. The cost of the fluids is not that much even when using synthetic.

I've never heard of anybody with a broken part say " If I had only not changed the fluid so much."

Just my $.02 worth.

 

Good one..............

One guy here at work makes fun of me because I change the power steering fluid and brake fluid every year too. Same thing.

 

I agree. But the front diff can be a pain with the tie rod so close to the cover. I popped the rod end off the spindle and swung the rod out of the way a little. And I always feel resealing the cover is a bit of a crapshoot too. I had a bad seal using Permatex, had a few drips so had to break it off and try again. This time it worked using the MOPAR RTV.

 

Same here. That does get expensive if you have to dump out $30 worth of synthetic gear lube because of a small leak. I did the same thing, got the MOPAR RTV, no more leaks.

 

The Mag-Hytec cover on the front makes it real easy to change!

Hey Tom, what ever happened with your cover anyway??


Tony

 

I can't use the Mag-hytec because I have a DT track bar, so I just popped off the diff cover and used RTV to button it back up.

The Redline 75w-90 is a GREAT gear oil.

I also have the late '02 without CAD.

I recommend that you slightly overfill the diff to ensure that the axle tubes have enough. Foaming is not an issue with a decent lube, and it really helps keep the axle seals from drying out.

Justin

 

btw-- did my first diff change @9000 miles. I have 24K now.

 

Justin:

I have a SJ trac bar up front. Will anything but a stock trac bar prohibit the use of the Mag-hytec on the front?

Thanks!

Matt

 

I'm probably lazy, but I decided to compromise -- drove the truck to "mix up" the front dif oil, suctioned it out with a pump, and replaced it with Redline 75w-90. I'll do it again every other year.

 

Hey, it's better than not doing it at all!

 

As far as I know, Yes. They look really but unfortunately I'm having vented cover issues that Mag-Hytec has not resolved yet. Until they do, I'm forced to run the stock cover. It only affects late 02's